Oblagon, Concepts Of Syd Mead

by Syd Mead, Brad Fowler (Photographer), Haruhiko Higami (Photographer)

This handsomely printed 12" x 12" volume contains 170 pages with over 200 illustrations, most of them in color. As in the first printing, the text written by Syd Mead is in both English and Japanese. With design concepts for Industry (Honda, LearFan). Fantasy (Flying cities, Moon Excavations, etc.) and Motion Pictures such as 2010, Bladerunner, and Tron, OBLAGON -- Concepts of Syd Mead provides a profound stimulus to the senses. Originally published in Japan in 1985, it soon sold out and has been much sought after by collectors and fans of Syd Mead for years.

Genres: Art, Science Fiction, Art Design, Design

168 pages, Paperback

First published December 18, 1996

About the author

Sydney Jay Mead, commonly Syd Mead (born July 18, 1933), is an American industrial designer and neofuturistic concept artist, widely known for his designs for science-fiction films such as Blade Runner, Aliens and Tron. Mead once said, "I've called science fiction 'reality ahead of schedule.'"

Mead's work has received wide note, and, in 2017, Curbed called Mead "the artist who illustrates the future".

Born on 18 July 1933 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Mead graduated from high school in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 1951. After serving a three-year enlistment in the U.S. Army, Mead attended the Art Center School in Los Angeles (now the Art Center College of Design, Pasadena), where he graduated in June 1959. He was recruited by Ford Motor Company's Advanced Styling Studio by Elwood Engel. Mead left Ford after two years to illustrate books and catalogues for companies including United States Steel, Celanese, Allis-Chalmers and Atlas Cement. In 1970, he launched Syd Mead, Inc. in Detroit with clients including Philips Electronics.

In 1979, Mead worked with major studios on the feature films Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Blade Runner, Tron, 2010, Short Circuit, Aliens, Timecop, Johnny Mnemonic and Mission: Impossible III.

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one of my brothers Syd Mead collection this one is another collection of his works over the years showcasing his skill and creativity. I have to say that looking at these pieces I cannot but feel that so much artwork can either be attributed to his skill or as a direct homage to him. There are so many similar artists out there - but when you look at the dates you realise that Syd Mead came long before them.

By the time this book was published Syd Mead had already amassed a considerable body of work (I dread to think how much more of his work is out there and has yet to see the light of day) but then again he was commissioned from all over the world and I wonder how much of his work lies in private hands.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A stunning, large-format book of some of Syd Mead’s most famous motion picture work and concept designs. Having seen some of these works in person, the reproduction is fairly accurate.

I wasn’t crazy about a lot of the text descriptions, which often used unnecessarily flowery language, but let’s face it — the plates are the real star of the show here.

[Corentin Xa · Rating 5 out of 5]

the best